Greece sees a bright hope in medical tourism

Published on : Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Greece is among the latest few to join the growing global medical tourism market. Known for its temperate climate and medical staff with excellence, Greece is slowly establishing itself as a preferred destination for medical tourism. This sector has strong possibilities for growth in the country, due to its existing and using world famous tourism infrastructure as a stepping stone.

Tourism contributes around 18% to Greece’s GDP annually and the diversification of the sector holds a lot of promise. Healthcare is one of the largest industries in the world contributing about 10% of the world’s GDP. The benefits of medical tourism for the economy are several. It acts as a revenue generator by attracting foreign visitors, who spend money in the local economy through medical treatments, hotel stays, food consumption and more. It also contributes towards the tourism industry and develops medical infrastructure. Factors working in Greece’s favor as a preferred medical tourism destination are many. Greece is considered a safe destination regarding security. The country’s landscapes present the patients with a wide range of choices during their stay for their recovery period. The country’s rich natural wealth of therapeutic springs, ample sunshine and a world-renowned diet based on olive oil, fish, fresh fruit and vegetables are added bonuses to promote wellness. Patients come in for range of treatments to Greece and they can combine their holiday with treatment. To quote Giorgos Patoulis, the president of the Athens Medical Association and Central Union of Municipalities of Greece, “Greece combines medical excellence with excellent sanitation and the most modern technology,” he tells The National. “At the same time, it is one of the best tourist destinations in the world with a remarkable infrastructure that can meet all needs.”